Forum for Security Co-operation
The Forum is the OSCE’s key decision-making body dealing with politico-military affairs. It works to increase military security and stability in Europe and covers some of the participating States’ most fundamental politico-military agreements.
Quick links
The Forum’s work
Key activities to support politico-military security in the OSCE region
Established in 1992, the Forum for Security Co-operation is a key OSCE decision-making body on politico-military issues of security. Its mandate focuses on a broad array of security matters, such as arms control and non-proliferation issues, including a wide range of confidence- and security-building measures, countering illicit small arms and light weapons, the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1540 on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, as well as other security-related issues raised by the OSCE participating States.
The Forum has been recognized for its relevance as a platform for dialogue addressing politico-military issues. The discussions at the Forum’s weekly Plenary Meetings focus on the implementation of key arms control agreements and confidence- and security-building measures, as well as on co-operation and military information exchange among the OSCE’s participating States.
Page
The Forum’s work
Preventing conflicts, enhancing military predictability and transparency among OSCE participating States
Page
Code of Conduct
A politically binding instrument with rules and standards for effective democratic and civilian control of the military and other security forces.
Page
Vienna Document
A set of military confidence- and security-building measures between States, including military information exchange and regular inspections.
The OSCE Structured Dialogue
The OSCE Structured Dialogue on current and future challenges and risks to security in the OSCE area brings together senior officials from capitals and ambassadors of the Organization’s 57 participating States in an informal working group format. They meet to discuss challenges in the broader politico-military sphere, explore ways to overcome differences, and seek to reverse the negative trends that have affected European security in recent years.
The Forum’s mandate
History and mandate
The Forum for Security Co-operation’s mandate is built on key OSCE foundational decisions and documents. It covers a wide range of politico-military issues, ranging from traditional security between and within States to transnational threats, such as the trafficking of weapons, including weapons of mass destruction. Its main tasks include regular consultations and intensive co-operation between the participating States on politico-military security matters, negotiations on confidence- and security-building measures, reducing the risks of conflict, and implementing agreed politico-military commitments.
Featured
More about the work of the Forum for Security Co-operation
External Link
Portfolio of OSCE Practical Assistance Projects on Small Arms Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition
Aimed to facilitate the implementation of small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition projects
https//salw.osce.org
Page
OSCE Conflict Cycle Toolbox
The OSCE Conflict Cycle Toolbox is an app that gives you an overview of all the tools, measures and instruments the OSCE, its participating States and its i
The Forum’s composition
Chairpersonship and Troika
The Forum meets weekly in Vienna and is chaired by each participating State for a period of four months on a rotational basis, following the French alphabetical order. The Chairperson is assisted by the incoming and outgoing Chairpersons, who together form the Forum’s Troika. A specialized unit in the OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre supports the Forum’s activities.
News and activities
Current announcements, press releases, media advisories and other updates
What is the politico-military dimension?
The OSCE was founded to address security in a broad and inclusive way, and its politico-military dimension forms one of its core pillars. This dimension focuses on building trust and transparency among participating States through confidence- and security-building measures that reduce the risk of conflict and foster military co-operation. Key instruments, such as the Vienna Document, the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, a Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons and a Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition, form the backbone of this dimension. These commitments reflect the shared understanding that lasting peace and stability require openness, predictability and co-operation in the political and military spheres.
